The conservative agenda: Where next?

Once in a while we read a letter from some well intentioned albeit confused individuals expressing their opinion that "capitalism is superior to socialism" or some such ludicrous assertion. Those who claim so may not have considered properly what they are talking about.

For starters, Adam Smith never intended his theories to be the foundations of a political party and, definitely, would not be happy with them being hijacked for such a purpose.

Secondly, even today's brand of capitalism as practised and politically supported would make him turn in his grave were he to know that people, while supporting their children and paying for their education, were being thrown out of work because of some hotshot CEO who was being paid millions a year and became too big for his/her shoes.

What they may be implying is that conservatism or, worse still, neo-conservative political philosophy should be considered as better and more suited to society.

Conservatism is pretty much still in its infancy, the world having only recently by historical standards gotten rid of imperialism. There may be many who would argue that the US is an example of a historically long standing strongly conservative ideology.

Socialism has been in fact a success and still is. Look at Sweden, Denmark and Finland. Germany, contrary to popular belief, is doing excellently, considering. Where would the EU be were it not for Germany, which foots the bill? Where would the East be today were it not for the West? Please do not confuse Stalinism with Communism and I am not defending Communism either.

On the other hand, I have been living under a conservative government for quite a few years and I can tell you the desolation is incredible. Health and education are at their worst albeit, admittedly, tertiary education levels have risen, but there are reasons for that too.

Yes, the national budget is in the black, but for how long? What if these conservative policies are simply eating away at the benefits created by previous socialist policies? How can a well-educated society under a conservative regime afford to risk time and energies into new discoveries, private research and cultural enrichment?

But wait, do not nod your head in agreement just yet; who will do the buying? Who will invent? Who will tinker in their basement or garage to try and find a solution that is not there, the springboard for most well doing businesses today? Who will take a risk to become tomorrow's employer? Should the mega businesses allow upcoming startups? What happens when businesses are still not satisfied and want to leave a country to set up elsewhere - who will pick up the pieces of wrecked family lives after them? Is having an oversized military budget a better solution to an oversized social welfare budget?

My only conclusion is that political ideology has nothing to do with the success of a country, rather it is the way we culturally approach our problems and resolve them. It takes self discipline and that has to be learned from a very young age. However, that discipline also requires a good dose of what I term "controlled indiscipline", that is being ready to rebel out of stagnation because history has taught us the dangers inherent with a people that becomes too obedient.

Mr Grima resides in Toronto.